Nectarine tree named ‘Candysweet XII’

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree,  Prunus persica , broadly characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 525 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid to late June, with first picking on Jun. 13, 2015. The fruit is large in size, globose to slightly oblong in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, full red in skin color, sweet, and sub-acidic in flavor.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica.

Variety denomination: ‘Candysweet XII’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

In a continuing effort to improve the quality of shipping fruits, we, the inventors, typically hybridize a large number of peach, nectarine, plum, apricot, and cherry seedlings each year. We also grow a smaller number of open pollinated seeds of each of these fruits, usually to capture recessive traits. The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, which has been denominated varietally as ‘Candysweet XII’.

The present variety was hybridized by us in 2008 as a first generation cross using a ‘5P452’ white flesh nectarine (unpatented) as the selected seed parent and ‘Kay Diamond VII’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,715) nectarine, as the selected pollen parent. Upon reaching maturity the fruit of this cross was gathered, and the seeds were removed, cracked, stratified, germinated, and grown as seedlings on their own root in our greenhouse. Upon reaching dormancy the seedlings were transplanted as a group to a cultivated area of our experimental orchard located near Le Grand, Calif., in Merced County (San Joaquin Valley). During the fruit evaluation season of 2012 we selected the present variety as a single tree from the group of seedlings described above. Subsequent to origination of the present variety of nectarine tree, we asexually reproduced it by budding and grafting in the experimental orchard described above, and such reproduction of plant and fruit characteristics were true to the original tree in all respects. The reproduction of the variety included the use of ‘Nemaguard’ (unpatented) rootstock upon which the present variety was compatible and true to type.

The present variety is similar to its seed parent, ‘5P452’ (unpatented) white nectarine, by producing nectarines that are firm, mostly red in skin color, nearly globose in shape, clingstone in type, and sub-acidic in flavor, but is quite distinguished therefrom by producing fruit that is yellow instead of white in flesh color and sweeter in flavor.

The present variety is similar to its pollen parent, ‘Kay Diamond VII’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,715) nectarine, by producing nectarines that are large in size, firm in texture, mostly red in skin color, globose to oblong in shape, clingstone in type, and yellow in flesh color, but is quite distinguished therefrom by having globose leaf glands instead of being eglandular, by blooming in the mid season instead of early, and by producing fruit that is sub-acidic instead of acidic in flavor and that matures about twenty-three days later.

The present variety is most similar to ‘Sugarine I’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,585) nectarine by being self-fertile, by having globose leaf glands, and by producing nectarines that are similar in size, firm in texture, mostly red in skin color, yellow in flesh color, nearly globose in shape, clingstone in type and excellent in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by blooming earlier, by being a larger tree, and by producing fruit that has a bitter instead of sweet kernel and that matures about twelve days earlier.

SUMMARY OF VARIETY

In summary, the present nectarine variety is characterized by a large size, vigorous, hardy, self-fertile, productive and regular bearing tree. The variety blooms during the mid season and requires about 525 chilling hours. The fruit matures under the ecological conditions described in mid to late June, with first picking on Jun. 13, 2015. The fruit is large in size, globose to slightly oblong in shape, clingstone in type, firm in texture, yellow in flesh color, full red in skin color, sweet, and sub-acidic in flavor.

DRAWING

The accompanying photograph consists of four whole fruits positioned to display the characteristics of the skin color and form, one divided fruit to reveal the flesh and stone, characteristic leaves, a tip shoot, and two insets to reveal flower buds and a blossom as they appeared on the tree during the blooming season.

POMOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS

Referring now more specifically to the pomological characteristics of this new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, the following has been observed under the ecological conditions prevailing near Le Grand, Merced County (San Joaquin Valley), Calif., and was developed at the state of firm ripe on Jun. 20, 2015 on the original tree during the seventh growing season. The blossom and flower descriptions were made the previous blooming season. All major color code designations are by reference to the Inter-Society Color Council, National Bureau of Standards. Common color names are also used occasionally.

It is to be noted that the 2015 fruit season in California was very warm during the spring and the ripening times of almost all varieties were about twenty days earlier than other years.

PARENTAGE

-   Seed parent: ‘5P452’ (unpatented) nectarine. -   Pollen parent: ‘Kay Diamond VII’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 18,715)     nectarine.

TREE

-   Size: Large, reaching and maintaining a height of 14′ [4.27 m.] and     a spread of 10′ [3.05 m.] after seven growing seasons utilizing     typical dormant pruning. -   Vigor: Vigorous, responding typically to irrigation and     fertilization. The variety grows about 3′ [0.91 m.] of surplus     top-growth during the spring and summer. The plant should be grown     on a standard commercial rootstock for production purposes. -   Growth: Spreading and dense. -   Form: Vase formed. -   Hardiness: Hardy with respect to central California winters. -   Heat tolerance: Observed to perform adequately in typical central     California climatic conditions, which typically include extended     periods of heat. -   Drought tolerance: Variety is developed for commercial orchards and     requires regular irrigation. -   Production: Productive, thinning necessary. -   Fertility: Self-fertile. -   Bearing: Regular bearer with no alternate bearing yet observed. -   Approximate chilling requirement: 525 hours. -   Trunk:     -   -   Size.—Stocky, reaching a maximum diameter of 7″ [178 mm.]             after the seventh growing season.         -   Texture.—Medium roughness.         -   Bark color.—A Light grayish brown [60. l.gy.Br] and Grayish             brown [61. gy.Br] variegation with Light yellowish brown             [76. l.yBr] crevices present.         -   Lenticels.—Approximate Number Per Square Inch: 10. Color:             Deep orange [51. deep O]. Average Size: ¼″ [6.4 mm.] in             length. The width is typically one fourth as much as the             length. Shape: Eye-shaped. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Stocky, diameter of main scaffold is 4″ [102 mm.]             measured 12″ above crotch, diameter of limb is 2⅝″ [67 mm.]             measured 12″ above first fork.         -   Texture.—Smooth on first and second year wood, increasing in             roughness with age.         -   Color.—1st Year Wood Topside: Grayish red [19. gy.R]. 1st             Year Wood Underside: Brilliant yellow green [116. brill.YG].             Older Wood: A Moderate yellowish brown [77. m.yBr] and             Strong yellowish brown [74. s.yBr] variegation.         -   Lenticels.—Number Per Square Inch: About 30 on second year             wood. Color: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. Average             size: Small, 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] in length on second year wood.             The width is typically one fourth as much as the length.             Shape: Eye-shaped. -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Large. Average Length: 7½″ [190.5 mm.]. Average Width:             1¾″ [44.5 mm.].         -   Arrangement.—Alternate.         -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Form.—Elliptical.         -   Apex.—Acuminate.         -   Base.—Acute.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Dorsal Surface: Moderate olive green [125. m.OlG].             Ventral Surface: Moderate yellow green [120. m.YG].         -   Margin.—Finely serrate.         -   Venation.—Pinnately net veined.         -   Vein color.—Light yellow green [119. l.YG].         -   Petiole.—Average Length: 7/16″ [11.1 mm.]. Average             Thickness: 1/16″ [1.6 mm.]. Color: Strong yellow green [117.             s.YG].         -   Stipules.—Number: Usually 2 per leaf, up to 6 per growing             tip. Average Length: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. Color: Brilliant yellow             green [116. brill.YG] becoming Light grayish reddish brown             [45. l.gy.rBr] with maturity.         -   Glands.—Number: 2 to 4 per leaf. Position: Mostly alternate,             near the intersection of the petiole and base of blade.             Form: Globose. Size: Medium, about 1/32″ [0.8 mm.] in             diameter. Color: Light yellow green [119. l.YG] becoming             Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr] with age.         -   Leaf buds.—Pointed, medium in size. -   Flower buds:     -   -   Hardiness.—Hardy, with respect to central California             blooming season.         -   Diameter.—Typically 5/16″ [7.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Length.—Typically ⅝″ [15.9 mm.] 1 week before bloom.         -   Form.—Not appressed.         -   Surface.—Pubescent.         -   Tip color.—Light purplish pink [249. l.pPk]. -   Flowers: Perfect, complete, perigynous, usually a single pistil,     about thirty stamens, five sepal and petal locations alternately     positioned.     -   -   Type.—Showy, large.         -   Average flower diameter.—1⅞″ [47.6 mm.].         -   Average flower depth.— 7/16″ [11.1 mm.] when fully open.         -   Number of petals.—Usually five, extra petal fragments             commonly occur, double blossoms rarely observed.         -   Petal shape.—Circular to oval.         -   Petal margin.—Entire, somewhat wavy, occasional notches.         -   Average petal diameter.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].         -   Average petal length.— 13/16″ [20.6 mm.].         -   Petal apex.—Rounded.         -   Petal base.—Rounded to somewhat truncate.         -   Petal color.—Pale pink [7. p.Pk] toward the apex, Light pink             [4. l.Pk] toward the base on both sides.         -   Anther color.—Moderate reddish orange [37. m.rO] over a             Light yellow [86. l.Y] center at bloom onset.         -   Pollen.—Anthers produce an abundance of Brilliant yellow             [83. brill.Y] pollen.         -   Stigma color.—Light greenish yellow [101. l.gY].         -   Stigma position.—Typically located about even with the             nearby anthers.         -   Ovary.—Smooth.         -   Average pistil length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].         -   Average stamen length.— 9/16″ [14.3 mm.].         -   Sepal color.—Grayish purplish red [262. gy.pR] on the outer             surface. The inner surface is a somewhat translucent Pinkish             white [9. pkWhite] with both Grayish purplish red [262.             gy.pR] and Vivid yellow green [115. v.YG] areas visible.         -   Sepal length.—¼″ [6.4 mm.].         -   Sepal width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.].         -   Sepal apex.—Rounded to elliptical to match the sepal length             and width.         -   Fragrance.—Moderate.         -   Blooming period.—Medium, with ‘Spring Bright’ (U.S. Plant             Pat. No. 7,507) nectarine.         -   Onset of bloom.—One percent on Feb. 18, 2015.         -   Date of full bloom.—Feb. 28, 2015.         -   Duration of bloom.—One to two weeks, dependent on ambient             temperature.         -   Bloom density.—Medium to heavy.         -   Number per cluster.—1 to 3 with single flowers most common.

FRUIT

-   Maturity when described: Firm ripe, Jun. 20, 2015. -   Date of first picking: Jun. 13, 2015. -   Date of last picking: Jun. 25, 2015. -   Size: Large, uniform.     -   -   Average diameter axially.—3 1/16″ [77.8 mm.].         -   Average diameter across suture plane.—2 15/16″ [74.6 mm.].         -   Average diameter across cheek plane.—2 15/16″ [74.6 mm.].         -   Typical weight.—9.5 ounces [270 grams]. -   Form: Globose to slightly oblong, slightly asymmetrical.     -   -   Longitudinal section form.—Round, slightly oblong.         -   Axial view.—Round. -   Suture: A shallow trough extending from the base to just beyond the     pistil point.     -   -   Near the base.—A shallow groove.         -   Along the side.—A shallow trough.         -   Near the apex.—A shallow groove. -   Ventral surface: Rounded, slightly lipped toward the apex on both     sides. -   Lips: Slightly unequal. -   Cavity: Flaring, elongated in suture plane, suture showing on one     side, Very yellow [82. v.Y] stem markings typical.     -   -   Depth.—⅝″ [15.9 mm.].         -   Breadth.—1¼″ [31.8 mm.]. -   Base.—Somewhat truncate. -   Apex: Rounded, slightly cordate if viewed parallel to the suture. -   Pistil point: Oblique, negligible in length, usually depressed     within the suture. -   Stem: Medium.     -   -   Average length.—⅜″ [9.5 mm.].         -   Average width.— 3/16″ [4.8 mm.]. -   Skin:     -   -   Thickness.—Medium.         -   Surface.—Smooth.         -   Tenacity.—Tenacious to flesh.         -   Astringency.—Non-astringent.         -   Tendency to crack.—None observed in dry season.         -   Color.—Very deep red [14. v.deep R] over a Strong red [12.             s.R] background with Pale orange yellow [73. p.OY] freckling             on the sides and toward the apex. -   Flesh:     -   -   Color.—Vivid yellow [82. v.Y] with Vivid red [11. v.R]             flecking stronger toward the skin, Deep red [13. deep R]             bleeding toward the stone, and Brilliant yellow [83.             brill.Y] fibers throughout.         -   Surface of pit cavity.—Covered with Deep red [13. deep R]             broken fibers when twisted from the stone.         -   Amygdalin.—Scarce.         -   Juice.—Moderate, rich.         -   Texture.—Firm, crisp, melting.         -   Ripens.—Slightly earlier at the apex.         -   Flavor.—Sweet and sub-acidic, typically 16 to 18 brix.         -   Aroma.—Slight.         -   Eating quality.—Excellent.

STONE

-   Type: Clingstone. -   Form: Oval. -   Hilum: Narrow, oval. -   Base: Slightly rounded. -   Apex: Acuminate. -   Sides: Equal. -   Surface: Irregularly furrowed toward the apex, pitted toward the     base. -   Ridges: Jagged. -   External color: Moderate reddish brown [43. m.rBr]. -   Pit wall color when cracked: Light yellowish brown [76. l.yBr]. -   Cavity surface color: Light grayish yellowish brown [79. l.gy.yBr]. -   Average pit wall thickness: ¼″ [6.4 mm.]. -   Average length: 1⅝″ [41.3 mm.]. -   Average width: 1⅛″ [28.6 mm.]. -   Average breadth: ⅞″ [22.2 mm.]. -   Tendency to split: None observed. -   Kernel:     -   -   Form.—Oval.         -   Skin color.—Light yellow [86. l.Y] when first removed.         -   Pellicle color.—Dark grayish yellow [91. d.gy.Y].         -   Vein color.—Brilliant yellow [83. brill.Y] when first             removed.         -   Taste.—Bitter.         -   Viable.—Yes.         -   Average length.—¾″ [19.1 mm.].         -   Average width.—½″ [12.7 mm.].         -   Amygdalin.—Abundant.

USE

-   Market: Fresh market and long distance shipping. -   Keeping quality: Good, fruit quality observed to remain in good     condition after 21 days in standard cold room at 36° Fahrenheit [2°     Celsius]. -   Shipping quality: Good. -   Resistance to insects: No unusual susceptibilities noted. -   Resistance to diseases: No unusual susceptibilities noted.

OTHER NOTES

Although the new variety of nectarine tree possesses the described characteristics under the ecological conditions at Le Grand, Calif., in the central part of the San Joaquin Valley, it is to be expected that variations in these characteristics may occur when farmed in areas with different climatic conditions, different soil types, and/or varying cultural practices. 

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of nectarine tree, substantially as illustrated and described, that is most similar to ‘Sugarine I’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 16,585) nectarine by being self-fertile, by having globose leaf glands, and by producing nectarines that are similar in size, firm in texture, mostly red in skin color, yellow in flesh color, nearly globose in shape, clingstone in type and excellent in flavor, but is distinguished therefrom by blooming earlier, by being a larger tree, and by producing fruit that has a bitter instead of sweet kernel and that matures about twelve days earlier. 